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For the citizens, by the citizensMon, 03 Jun 2019 15:09:55 +0000en-UShourly1Nearly 1,800 catch basins adopted in Vancouverhttps://thinkpol.ca/2018/11/05/nearly-1800-catch-basins-adopted-vancouver/
https://thinkpol.ca/2018/11/05/nearly-1800-catch-basins-adopted-vancouver/#commentsTue, 06 Nov 2018 03:00:11 +0000https://thinkpol.ca/?p=3537By Staff Writer Walking through the streets of Vancouver, you may pass by Grates of Wrath, Stormy Drainiels, or Grate Expectations. By the end of October this year, 1,765 catch basins have been adopted across the city. The Adopt a Catch Basin program, launched by the city, allows citizens to adopt and name their own drainage

Walking through the streets of Vancouver, you may pass by Grates of Wrath, Stormy Drainiels, or Grate Expectations. By the end of October this year, 1,765 catch basins have been adopted across the city.

The Adopt a Catch Basin program, launched by the city, allows citizens to adopt and name their own drainage basin in an effort to ameliorate flooding on city streets. Drainage is especially an issue in the fall when fallen leaves clog the catch basins and the weather turns progressively stormier.

“If your catch basin is blocked, use a rake, broom, or shovel to push leaves and debris away from the curb and catch basin grate,” reads the program website. “This will allow water to drain into the catch basin and prevent flooding.”

Vancouver has around 45,000 drainage basins, so there are plenty more to go around. Adopt a Catch Basin also provides a city map so citizens can select which specific catch basins they would like to adopt. High priority drainage basins are highlighted on the map, and after signing up for the program, participants are sent a welcome package to help them get started.

The program launched in October of 2017 after similar programs in San Francisco and Oakland, although the number of participants in Vancouver has now surpassed those other two cities.

]]>https://thinkpol.ca/2018/11/05/nearly-1800-catch-basins-adopted-vancouver/feed/3Pest control reports larger and more spiders in metro Vancouverhttps://thinkpol.ca/2018/10/30/pest-control-reports-larger-spiders-metro-vancouver/
https://thinkpol.ca/2018/10/30/pest-control-reports-larger-spiders-metro-vancouver/#commentsWed, 31 Oct 2018 01:01:34 +0000https://thinkpol.ca/?p=3533By Staff Writer Longer, warmer summers have led to both an increase in size and occurrence of spiders in metro Vancouver, according to a pest control specialist. “Spiders are huge right now, larger than I’ve ever seen before,” Randy Bilsky, an exterminator with Go Green Pest Control, told the CBC. “The spiders get a jump

Longer, warmer summers have led to both an increase in size and occurrence of spiders in metro Vancouver, according to a pest control specialist.

“Spiders are huge right now, larger than I’ve ever seen before,” Randy Bilsky, an exterminator with Go Green Pest Control, told the CBC. “The spiders get a jump on summer by having a warmer spring and in fall the weather stays warmer longer, so they grow larger because there are more insects out there.”

Bilesky said that calls to his pest control service have increased 50 per cent this season, with 39 calls so far, compared to 26 from last year.

Typically, spider season is over by the end of September, but longer, warmer summers allow spiders to persist later in the season and grow larger. Bilesky partly attributed the increase in size to climate change.

He advised his clients to first exercise prevention by filling cracks in ceilings or floorboards and keeping doors and windows shut. The less squeamish can place a cup over the spider and a sheet of paper underneath the cup, allowing the spider to be taken outside.

The giant house spider and the hobo spider are commonly found throughout British Columbia. “They are quite hairy and they are really, really fast,” arachnologist Catherine Scott told the CBC. “You can actually hear their little feet running across the room.”

The giant house spider can have a leg span of eight centimetres and has brown, chevron pattern on its body. However Scott also said that the large spiders are completely harmless and reduce the number other household pests.

]]>https://thinkpol.ca/2018/10/30/pest-control-reports-larger-spiders-metro-vancouver/feed/1Hot dog water CEO stands outside Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop Vancouver Summithttps://thinkpol.ca/2018/10/29/hot-dog-water-ceo-stands-outside-gwyneth-paltrows-goop-vancouver-summit/
https://thinkpol.ca/2018/10/29/hot-dog-water-ceo-stands-outside-gwyneth-paltrows-goop-vancouver-summit/#commentsTue, 30 Oct 2018 00:26:07 +0000https://thinkpol.ca/?p=3530By Staff Writer A man dressed as a hot dog stands just outside of the Goop wellness summit held in the Stanley Park Pavilion over the weekend. He offers passerbys samples of hot dog water. The hot dog water, consisting of a wiener floating in a water bottle, reatils for $37.99. “This is a smart

A man dressed as a hot dog stands just outside of the Goop wellness summit held in the Stanley Park Pavilion over the weekend. He offers passerbys samples of hot dog water. The hot dog water, consisting of a wiener floating in a water bottle, reatils for $37.99.

“This is a smart water — it’s keto-compatible, it improves brain function, it increases vitality, I mean the list goes on and on, but it’s our latest product for helping people live healthier lives,” Douglas Bevans, the man in the hot dog suit told the CBC.

Bevans is making a statement about the absurdity of health food fads and calls for people to think critically about the products they are consuming. “As ridiculous as this is, there are products out there that exceed this in absurdity,” he said.

Gwyneth Paltrow’s health brand Goop has been previously criticized for marketing bogus products based on pseudoscience. Earlier this year, the company came under fire after health professionals warned against a DIY coffee enema for sale, and the company is also known for jade or quartz eggs that are meant to be inserted into the vagina.

The “In Goop Health” summit had around 200 attendees, with tickets selling for $400 plus tax. The company is estimated to be work $250-million.

“We really need to think more critically about what is being sold and what kind of claims are being sold and who is selling it,” Bevans told CTV News. “We’re all vulnerable in this era, I think. We’re all inundated with people claiming things.”

At Stanley Park today, a stand for Hot Dog Water set up next to the wellness-centric "In @goop Health" summit. CEO @ricdinricdon could be seen in a full-body hot dog costume stirring a fresh pot of water, while others handed out samples. Notably, there was a hot dog dog. pic.twitter.com/vw34TWs3bZ

]]>https://thinkpol.ca/2018/10/29/hot-dog-water-ceo-stands-outside-gwyneth-paltrows-goop-vancouver-summit/feed/1Canada Post strikes roll out across Canadahttps://thinkpol.ca/2018/10/22/canada-post-strikes-roll-across-canada/
https://thinkpol.ca/2018/10/22/canada-post-strikes-roll-across-canada/#commentsMon, 22 Oct 2018 22:11:20 +0000https://thinkpol.ca/?p=3525By Staff Writer After failing to reach a bargaining agreement on Sunday evening, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) will being rotating strikes across Canada. On Monday, 24-hour strikes began in Windsor, Ont., Halifax, Victoria, and Edmonton. While mail and parcels won’t be picked up or delivered in those cities, postal services in the

After failing to reach a bargaining agreement on Sunday evening, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) will being rotating strikes across Canada. On Monday, 24-hour strikes began in Windsor, Ont., Halifax, Victoria, and Edmonton.

While mail and parcels won’t be picked up or delivered in those cities, postal services in the rest of the country will be maintained regularly. Regular mail delivery in striking cities will resume the following day.

“With rotating strikes, a new location or locations will be striking daily. We have not yet announced where strikes will be held tomorrow,” a CUPW spokesperson said. The union represents 50,000 Canada Post employees.

According to Tony Rogers, president of CUPW’s Nova Local, the union has been negotiating with Canada post for 10.5 months. “We’ve done everything we could to try and reach an agreement, and they’re not just getting it into their heads that we’re serious about the things we’ve been discussing,” Rogers told the CBC.

“Workers are genuinely angry with the corporation,” said Rogers. “They’ve been insulted by the offers the corporation has put out and they’re insulted by the fact the corporation hasn’t been willing to move whatsoever on the key issues that we feel are important.” For the urban unit, it has been “cash strapped” for 12 years because of “bad deals,” wage freezes and wage increases below the rate of inflation.”

Canada Post has urban and rural units, with issues differing between the two. Rogers told the CBC that the rural unit won a pay-equity settlement, but that Canada Post is negotiating as if the settlement never occurred. The urban unit has been short on funding due to wage freezes or wage increases below the rate of inflation.

According to a statement from Canada Post, “Canada Post remains committed to the bargaining process and has a significant offer on the table that includes increased wages, job security, improved benefits and contains no concessions.”

]]>https://thinkpol.ca/2018/10/22/canada-post-strikes-roll-across-canada/feed/2Over a dozen new mayors elected across British Columbia in municipal electionshttps://thinkpol.ca/2018/10/21/dozen-new-mayors-elected-across-british-columbia-municipal-elections/
https://thinkpol.ca/2018/10/21/dozen-new-mayors-elected-across-british-columbia-municipal-elections/#commentsMon, 22 Oct 2018 04:53:21 +0000https://thinkpol.ca/?p=3522By Staff Writer Metro Vancouver Saturday evening’s municipal election was nail-bitingly close with former Burnaby NDP MP Kennedy Stewart just taking the lead to become Vancouver’s next mayor. Vancouver’s current mayor of ten years, Gregor Robertson, announced early on that he was not running for re-election. Stewart won the election with 28.72 per cent of

Saturday evening’s municipal election was nail-bitingly close with former Burnaby NDP MP Kennedy Stewart just taking the lead to become Vancouver’s next mayor. Vancouver’s current mayor of ten years, Gregor Robertson, announced early on that he was not running for re-election.

Stewart won the election with 28.72 per cent of the votes, only beating out opponent Ken Sim, a Non-Partisan Association candidate, by a mere 984 votes. Shauna Sylvester, another independent candidate, took third place with 20.49 per cent of the vote.

In Burnaby, longstanding incumbent mayor Derek Corrigan was beat out by former firefighter Mike Hurley, a member of the Burnaby Citizen Association. The former mayor was a staunch opponent to the Trans mountain pipeline but has been criticized for housing market mismanagement.

In Surrey, the newly-elected Doug McCallum has replaced former mayor Linda Hepner, who has stepped down. McCallum’s party is the Safe Surrey Coalition, and McCallum previously served as mayor 13 years ago. Key topics of debate in Surrey are gang violence, police action, and the light rail system.

Vancouver Island

In the province’s capital of Victoria, incumbent mayor Lisa Helps keeps her title. One of the main issues plaguing Victoria and much of Vancouver Island include skyrocketing rent and increasing homelessness.

In Nanaimo, NDP MLA Leonard Krog has been voted in as the new mayor. In Saanich, city councilor Fred Haynes defeated incumbent mayor Richard Atwell, largely on a platform focused on access to housing.

Interior

Kelowna keeps its incumbent mayor Colin Basran. Meanwhile, homelessness, development, and housing were topics that dominated discussion across the larger cities. Former Councillor John Vassiki will become the new mayor of Penticton, while the new mayor of Vernon will be Victor Cumming.

Northern B.C.

Incumbents flourished in northern B.C. municipalities. Prince George will keep its former mayor, Lyn Hall, as well as all of its previous councilors. Fort St. John, Williams Lake, Smithers, Kitimat, and Dawson Creek will all keep their former mayors. However, former Councillor Gary Foster ousted incumbent Bill Streeper in Fort Nelson.

]]>https://thinkpol.ca/2018/10/21/dozen-new-mayors-elected-across-british-columbia-municipal-elections/feed/1Woman makes $15K in donations by collecting bottles and cans over 21 yearshttps://thinkpol.ca/2018/10/15/woman-makes-15k-donations-collecting-bottles-cans-21-years/
https://thinkpol.ca/2018/10/15/woman-makes-15k-donations-collecting-bottles-cans-21-years/#commentsTue, 16 Oct 2018 02:04:02 +0000https://thinkpol.ca/?p=3514By Staff Writer Nearly every day, a small, salt and pepper haired woman walks through the front doors of the B.C. Cancer Foundation’s front doors, usually bursting with a smile. She hands the B.C Cancer Foundation a small amount of cash. Gia Tran has been collecting bottles and cans and donating the refund money to

Nearly every day, a small, salt and pepper haired woman walks through the front doors of the B.C. Cancer Foundation’s front doors, usually bursting with a smile. She hands the B.C Cancer Foundation a small amount of cash.

Gia Tran has been collecting bottles and cans and donating the refund money to the B.C. Cancer Foundation for the past 21 years. Staff estimate that over the years she’s donated around $15,000.

“It’s always the same,” Dianne Parker, the receptionist at the foundation’s office, told the CBC. “She comes in with a big smile and she always says, ‘I love everybody here, and I want to help people.'”

Tran lives near Main and East Hastings and collects cans and bottles in her neighborhood. She told the CBC that she usually prefers cans to bottles since they’re much lighter to carry around. Tran then usually walks to the return depot since the bus limits the load she can carry. From there, she heads on to the B.C. Cancer Foundation’s office, a trip that can take between 45 minutes and an hour and a half.

Sarah Roth, chief executive of the B.C. Cancer Foundation, told the CBC that Tran’s visits are a daily highlight. “She is like the joy of our day when she comes, absolutely,” said Roth. “She’s just here because of the kindness of her heart, and that then spills into our whole office and it makes everybody smile and it makes everyone feel good.”

]]>https://thinkpol.ca/2018/10/15/woman-makes-15k-donations-collecting-bottles-cans-21-years/feed/1Vancouver family forced to camp out for weeks before finding affordable homehttps://thinkpol.ca/2018/10/13/vancouver-family-forced-camp-weeks-finding-affordable-home/
https://thinkpol.ca/2018/10/13/vancouver-family-forced-camp-weeks-finding-affordable-home/#commentsSat, 13 Oct 2018 16:49:01 +0000https://thinkpol.ca/?p=3510By Staff Writer In the early spring, Jackie Myerion and Jesse Kirkpatrick, a Vancouver couple in their thirties, pitched a tent in the idyllic Crab Park overlooking the Vancouver Harbour. Their two kids, age seven and nine, thought they were camping out. Myerion and Kirkpatrick knew better. The family was forced out of their $1,000 a

In the early spring, Jackie Myerion and Jesse Kirkpatrick, a Vancouver couple in their thirties, pitched a tent in the idyllic Crab Park overlooking the Vancouver Harbour. Their two kids, age seven and nine, thought they were camping out. Myerion and Kirkpatrick knew better.

The family was forced out of their $1,000 a month basement apartment in Surrey when their landlord suddenly needed the space or family. They were given one month’s notice, packed their belongings in storage, and tried to stay with family. A family member’s building wouldn’t allow men or children, and family shelters were fully occupied. The family was forced to live in a tent for a few weeks before being able to stay in a friend’s camper, and ultimately, being connected with the Union Gospel Mission that helped them find a home in Surrey.

“It was stressful, devastating and very hard,” Myerion told the CBC. The couple decided to speak out about their experience to demonstrate how easy it can be for low-income families to find themselves on the streets.

“It can happen to anybody. We were good tenants. Jesse was working. But then we came down to the point of getting a tent and pitching it in Crab Park, because we couldn’t find affordable housing,” said Myerion.

Myerion’s isn’t the only person whose family is struggling through finding a home. According to a recent report entitled No Vacancyfrom UBC, vacancy rates for affordable homes in the greater Vancouver area is near zero, plummeting in the suburbs where many low-income families reside. According the study, the vacancy rate in Surrey fell from 5.7 per cent in 2012 to near zero in 2017.

In addition, rent for bachelor and 1-bedroom suites have gone up by 24 per cent between 2012 and 2017, and shelter occupancy has consistently been over 100 per cent.

]]>https://thinkpol.ca/2018/10/13/vancouver-family-forced-camp-weeks-finding-affordable-home/feed/1BC couple rejoices over discovering obscenely large porcini mushroomhttps://thinkpol.ca/2018/10/07/bc-couple-rejoices-discovering-obscenely-large-porcini-mushroom/
https://thinkpol.ca/2018/10/07/bc-couple-rejoices-discovering-obscenely-large-porcini-mushroom/#commentsMon, 08 Oct 2018 04:59:12 +0000https://thinkpol.ca/?p=3505By Staff Writer David Swab was foraging through the coastal B.C. forest’s damp undergrowth when he jumped with a shriek. He beckoned over his wife, Olya Kutsiuruba, “So I move this brush back and we find this enormous, enormous King Bolete and promptly start to just laugh hysterically because it is the biggest mushroom we’ve

David Swab was foraging through the coastal B.C. forest’s damp undergrowth when he jumped with a shriek. He beckoned over his wife, Olya Kutsiuruba,

“So I move this brush back and we find this enormous, enormous King Bolete and promptly start to just laugh hysterically because it is the biggest mushroom we’ve ever seen,” Kutsiuruba told the CBC.

The couple had stumbled upon a near 3-kilogram behemoth mushroom, roughly the size of a basketball.

“It’s perfect. It’s intact. It has been sitting in this beautiful little ecosystem in this underbrush, untouched,” said Kutsiuruba. “We just got really giddy and happy and couldn’t stop squealing and laughing.”

The King bolete, also commonly known as the porcini mushroom, can often be found across North America and Europe. One of such size however, is uncommon. Kutsiuruba told the CBC she plans on making stops and soups, and the giant mushroom will provide more than a year’s supply.

Mushroom experts have said that this year has been particularly fruitful for mushroom hunters. The majority of the fungal body remains underground, and the mushroom that appears above ground is the reproductive organ. The fungus can store nutrients underground and then produce larger fruiting bodies.

Experts also warn against mushroom hunting-it is advised to only consume a mushroom if you are absolutely certain it is edible, as certain difficult-to-distinguish varieties can be life threatening when consumed. Porcinis belong in a family with pores underneath the mushroom cap, although there are many of varieties of pore-bearing mushrooms that are inedible.

For those interested in learning more about mushrooms, the Vancouver Mycological Society will host its annual mushroom show at the Vandusen Botanical Gardens on October 21.

]]>https://thinkpol.ca/2018/10/07/bc-couple-rejoices-discovering-obscenely-large-porcini-mushroom/feed/2Tim Hortons aims to shut down Tim Hottenshttps://thinkpol.ca/2018/10/04/tim-hortons-aims-shut-tim-hottens/
https://thinkpol.ca/2018/10/04/tim-hortons-aims-shut-tim-hottens/#commentsThu, 04 Oct 2018 15:24:30 +0000https://thinkpol.ca/?p=3499By Staff Writer Those travelling in Yamunanagar, India, may find comfort in a homely treat from Tim Hottens—that’s not a typo. A Tim Hortons lookalike has opened up in India, and likewise is a coffee and bake shop with the slogan “always fresh”. The branding is unmistakeable. However, unlike Tim Hortons, in addition to your

Those travelling in Yamunanagar, India, may find comfort in a homely treat from Tim Hottens—that’s not a typo. A Tim Hortons lookalike has opened up in India, and likewise is a coffee and bake shop with the slogan “always fresh”. The branding is unmistakeable.

However, unlike Tim Hortons, in addition to your coffee, you can also get a burger and wash it down with a boozy mojito, according to their Facebook page where the restaurant is well reviewed.

Tim Hortons brands seem a little less than amused by the knock-off. “While we believe that imitation is often the sincerest form of flattery, we do have very high standards when it comes to our brand, the quality of our products and the service we provide our guests,” said Jane Almeida, a spokesperson for the parent company of Tim Hortons, in a written statement.

“Therefore, we will be taking steps to protect our brand and trademarks, including closing down this imitation restaurant.”

Tim Hottens Facebook page was created in May on 2016, although it is unclear when the restaurant actually opened, and Tim Hortens hasn’t disclosed whether or not it was aware of the copycat prior to being questioned, according to the Canadian Press.

The knock-off in India isn’t the first to steal the company’s branding either. A Tim House café (with similar branding) has cropped up in South Korea, as well as a Tim Morton’s brand coffee bags sold in a supermarket.

]]>https://thinkpol.ca/2018/10/04/tim-hortons-aims-shut-tim-hottens/feed/2These six local heritage sites are at risk of disappearinghttps://thinkpol.ca/2018/10/01/six-local-heritage-spots-risk-disappearing/
https://thinkpol.ca/2018/10/01/six-local-heritage-spots-risk-disappearing/#commentsTue, 02 Oct 2018 00:49:46 +0000https://thinkpol.ca/?p=3494By Staff Writer For the first time, Heritage B.C. has released its “watch list” of six culturally significant heritage locations at risk of being lost. The watch list aims to encourage local communities in advocating for protection, awareness, and conversation. Heritage B.C. president Gordon MacDonald has said that the organization is aware of the need

For the first time, Heritage B.C. has released its “watch list” of six culturally significant heritage locations at risk of being lost. The watch list aims to encourage local communities in advocating for protection, awareness, and conversation.

Heritage B.C. president Gordon MacDonald has said that the organization is aware of the need to move on, but that preservation and progress “are not contradictory but rather complementary agendas.”

The six heritage locations are:

The Fairmont Academy, Vancouver-built in 1912 as a private boys residential school, the building was purchased by the Royal Canadian Mounted police in 1920 where it served as provincial headquarters. Although the traditional Tudor exteriors are intact, the interiors have changed substantially. It is possible the building will be demolished to make way for housing units.

Vancouver Public Library, Collingwood Branch-opened in 1951, the Collingwood branch of VPL was the first library branch to incorporate Modernist architecture by lauded Vancouver architects Harold Semmens and Douglas Simpson. The modernist aesthetic has been lost to “unsympathetic” alterations to the exterior.

First Presbyterian Church, Prince Rupert-the church, built in the gothic revival style, features wooden floors, stained glass windows, and a 65-foot bell tower. It held its first service in 1925, but the congregation has been reduced to six people, with the last service held in March. The building was then put up for sale.

Turner House, Abbotsford-also known as Cruikshank Residence, this was the home and farm of George Turner and dates back to 1875. The building is the only surviving house from the first phase of European settlement in the Matsqui Prairie. The farm was also home to the Maple Grove Dairy Co., one of the community’s first cooperatively run farms. There is currently no heritage conservation plan.

Morden Colliery, Nanaimo-built in 1913, the Morden Colliery are the remains of a Vancouver Island coal mine. The head frame and tipple structures still remain, but the site is fast deteriorating with emergency repairs estimated upward of $500,000.

Victoria High School-built in 1912 in the Italian Renaissance style, the four-storey Victoria High School is the most extravagant school designed by local architect Elwood Watkins. Public consultation favoured keeping the lavish building despite the high cost of maintenance.